bluecrab Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Several days ago, I happened upon a Sony MDS-JA555ES MD deck for sale on Audiogon. Many people regard this as possibly the best MD deck ever made. Although it is SP-only, it lacks little else. The unit was described as near-mint and its accessories still in their unopened plastic bags. Although I consider LP mode essential for my use of MD, I have to say I was intrigued by the possibility of owning this exquisite machine. At that time, the bid for it was around 125 USD, I'd paid around 275 for my MDS-JA333ES on Ebay, so I thought the 555 might go for around that, maybe a bit more. And it was located close enough to me that I could probably just go pick it up and save shipping costs. "$300," I thought. "I might go as high as 300, even though I'm not sure where I'd put it or what I'd use it for." I need not have worried, as the 555 eventually sold for 900 USD. Wow, that is a lot of money, at least it is for me! I did manage to save a photo of it before the auction ended and I have attached said photo. It is truly a beautiful-looking MD deck. $900 though - I guess the really good MD stuff still is in demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azureal Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 That does seem a bit excessive. I spent around 300 USD for my JA20ES, a very similar model to the 555 and only a year older. I wonder what drove the price up so high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 seems like non availability and enthusiasts drove the price like anything .Even though I will be reluctant to spend even a penny on md now .(nothing against md lovers ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyJay Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 It is the correct price for such an astonishingly beautiful piece of kit. Here is another one, it ends in a day http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-MDS-JA555ES-MiniDisc-Deck-MiniDisc-Recorder-Remote-/140487260872?pt=UK_CE_Cassette_RL&hash=item20b5b17ac8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted December 12, 2010 Report Share Posted December 12, 2010 Yes very encourageant... I propose mine in classifieds section for 500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Check Karl Balke on eBay; he doesn't have the 555ES listed, but he might have ideas on where to source the parts. Done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mestkidd Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 U must get paid crap money in USA if you think $900 is expensive!, I got a mds-ja333es for $900 AUD actually, but in Australia the RRP for the 333es was $3999!!!! Let alone the 555es!!!!! Btw what is the difference between the two other than the fact the 555es can't do mdlp??? Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 U must get paid crap money in USA if you think $900 is expensive!, I got a mds-ja333es for $900 AUD actually, but in Australia the RRP for the 333es was $3999!!!! Let alone the 555es!!!!! Btw what is the difference between the two other than the fact the 555es can't do mdlp??? Aaron Anyway my JA555ES is not ready to be sell. Still waiting for the repair cost estimate (optical block). The more I think of it, the more I think I will keep it. My only one problem is that I live in Vietnam and this unit is 15kg... I use know daily my JB980 QS and I can't leave my eyes from it when I listen to my MDs ! I have all my Mds in SP mode. What a pleasure holding in his hand a MD and introduce it in / get it off the unit. It is the same pleasure with any MD deck / bookshelve / portable unit when in mint condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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